NXT Season Two

[Magic Mark]

Over the course of the next couple of days, I will be doing an analysis on each season of NXT except for the first one. Why not the first one? Because I've already seen multiple "Nexus: Where are they now?" threads so doing one about them seems overdone. So I am going to start off with Season Two instead.

Kaval (WINNER)- Kaval gained a massive following in Japan and in Indie promotions across America, and after watching some of his watches, its easy to see why. The guy is a natural athlete, and is very capable in the ring. He came over to FCW much to the internet-fans delight, worked in FCW and then came to NXT. He was awesome. His matches were fun to watch and just chick-full of crazy spots. So you'd think that after he won NXT, he would be pushed to the moon, right? RIGHT?!?!?! WRONG!!! They never gave him a world title shot and within a year, he was released. I believe he asked for it because he never really wanted to go to the WWE, and has said in multiple interviews that going to the WWE was "an added bonus. Too bad, he could of been a star in the Mid-card.

Michael McGillicutty- Son of Curt, Michael was the runner-up to Kaval. We all know him as Curtis Axel and has now allied himself with Paul Heyman. Though he has gotten a push, I just don't like him. He's boring in the ring, on the mic, and has nothing special to him other than the fact that he is the son of Mr.Perfect. You'd think that all those years in developmental would of done something to change his character, but no. He's been the same guy that we first met back in 2010. Maybe a face-turn can make him more interesting, because he certainly hasn't gotten much heat as of late.

Alex Riley- What hasn't been said about Riley that hasn't been said already? It's been horrilble how watching a guy that pinned a former WWE Champion CLEANLY on PPV has now fallen to jobber status. Unbelievable. Alex had "it". Kind of like how John Cena had "it" back in 2003. He got great reactions from the crowd, and was actually passable in the ring. I REALLY want the guy to get pushed again. We were teased a push back in 2012 when he pinned Dolph Ziggler, but it was all a lie. Let's just hope Riley gets resurrected from "JTG Jobber Hell"

Husky Harris- Husky was interesting. He was big, but was very mobile. However, I just never really saw that much singles matches from him. It seemed like all he did was get into tag-matches and vallet CM Punk to the ring, and then before you know it, he was back in NXT. He has since been repackaged under the horribly named Bray Wyatt (again, another really shitty name that we will probably get used to) and has actually pulled of his gimmick quite well. Only time will tell though.

Percy Watson- Now we're starting to get into the guys that never really did much after NXT. I believe Percy teamed up with Titus O'Neil for a brief time in Smackdown and superstars, and then was released. Didn't upset me this time.

Lucky Cannon- Never really saw any of his matches, but I know for sure he didn't last long after NXT. Pretty happy he did get cut though, never showed anything special to me.

Eli Cottonwood- Never heard from him after NXT. Yay.

Titus O'Neil- The man that is as unstoppable as Kobe Bryant in a Colorado hotel room, O'neil showed some of the worst mike skills I have ever heard from a wrestler. EVAR. But over time his in-ring ability improved and thankfully so did his mic work. He has since teamed up with Darren Young under the "Primetime Players" monicker. Very entertaining for a man his size, and a refreshing and proper addition to the tag-team division.

So, who were the BOOMS! and busts of NXT Season Two?

 

[The Butcher]

Well, none of these guys really got anywhere as a direct result of being on NXT 2, so in that regard they were all busts on the first go 'round. Kaval was my favorite going into the show, because I enjoyed his work pre-NXT. Apparently he's happier doing smaller shows, and he seemed restless with how WWE used him, so if he's happy, good. I think he could have made more of an impact in WWE had he been patient however.

Alex Riley, Percy Watson, and Husky Harris grew on me as things went along. Riley's fall to the very bottom of the pecking order surprised me considering an entertaining initial run, but he's got potential and a good look, so like you said Mark hopefully he gets "resurrected." I thought more would come of Watson, but I don't particularly miss him. As for Husky, I wish I could forget he happened and only know Bray Wyatt; regardless though, Bray Wyatt is excellent on the new, improved NXT and should be great on the main roster. Hurry and debut, damn it!

I didn't see the Titus O'Neil of today in the Titus O'Neil of NXT 2, but I'm glad WWE kept him around. It's nice to see how he's developed. Lucky Cannon and Eli Cottonwood were clearly the weakest competitors in my eyes, and their current stations in the industry (indies and out, respectively) are no surprise. Michael McGillicutty was a sentimental favorite, but the guy was the drizzling shits on the mic back then. He was and continues to be a solid in-ring hand, but that whole "Age of McGillicutty" promo really made me question if he even deserved to make it that far in the competition. What a difference a name change and Paul Heyman can make, though. Curtis Axel now, he looks poised to make a good run and to do the IC Title proud. I'm still not sure if his ceiling is very high, but he's a fresh face who works in the role they've put him in. McGillicutty is essentially forgotten so far as I'm concerned.

Good thread. Season 1/Nexus gets all the attention, so it's good to see someone give the subsequent editions a going over.

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

Kaval - Entertaining, thought he was going to do alright but really didn't. He was successful elsewhere but that doesn't mean WWE will see anything in you.

Michael McGillicutty - What a shit name! However good you are, you're not going to do much with a name like that. I like him though, I thought he was talented. I'm glad WWE look like they're big on him as they've changed his name and put him with Heyman.

Alex Riley - As you said he's been discussed loads. Everyone's got an opinion about him, some like him, some don't. I always liked him. He was always entertaining, and he was perfectly put with Miz which helped him a lot. It's a shame that he's now doing nothing.

Husky Harris - He was by far my favourite. He was an absolute tank. He didn't just have the size, he had the ability. He was comfortable on the mic and looked the part. He wasn't totally ready at the time which is why he was put back off tv. But it turned out to be a great move by WWE as he's now Bray Wyatt. The most anticipated debut for a long time. He has really gone up a gear with this character and is very entertaining.

Titus O'Neil - I wasn't the biggest fan of his, he was okay but wasn't for me. This was until he teamed with Young and formed PTP, which he has been very entertaining in and I've become a fan.

I wasn't keen on Percy Watson. Lucky Cannon was alright. Eli Cottonwood was okay.

 

[MizMark11]

Kavel: He never got a world title shot because he decided to use his title shot on the IC chamionship (I think Ziggler was champ at the time). I never really liked his look and I thought he was boring on the mic. I do admit that he could go in the ring, but that's it for me.

Michael McGillicutty: I didn't like him at all on NXT. I thought he was bland in the ring and on the mic. However, I thought he or Riley would win NXT. When he got to the WWE in the (New) Nexus, I still didn't like him and thought it was stupid when his gimmick was wearing a black hat backwards. He disappeared for awhile, but now he's growing on me as Curtis Axel. I don't love him, but I do like how he added some of his father's moves into his moveset and he seems to have gotten slightly better on the mic. His name helps him a lot and I think he does have a bright future, although I'm not sure how bright.

Alex Riley: I really enjoyed him on NXT. He was my favourite superstar on the show. I liked his moveset and I thought he should have won. He was over after NXT and I think they should have continued the push, but now he's doing nothing. Hopefully that changes.

Husky Harris: Didn't like his look at all. I thought it was cool how he could go in the ring while being such a big dude, but I wasn't sure what he could do. The Bray Wyatt look is so much better on him and his mic skills are amazing. I can't wait to see him in action.

Percy Watson: He was kind of corny with his jokes, but I did enjoy him. I feel like he would be a better fit in the Prime Time Players than Darren Young (I do like D-Young, though).

Lucky Cannon: So generic. Did not like him at all.

Eli Cottonwood: Some people on here compared JoMo and Cottonwood to HBK and Nash. I laugh at that thought. Cottonwood was awful all around and I don't care what happened to him.

Titus O'Neil: Love this guy. Thought he was lame but funny on NXT, but now I think he's hilarious. He can go in the ring and on the mic. I even think he has a great future as a singles star.

 

[Radical Canadian Goose]

Watson, Cannon and Cottonwood are all obvious busts.

Harris and McGillicutty - Both needed new gimmicks to get recognized so I will call them busts as well. Although Axel and Wyatt could become immediate Booms

Kavel - Easily the most talented performer on the show. World renowned. Sucks to put him as a bust but if we are just talking WWE then yeah he's a bust

Alex Riley - This hurts me but bust

Titus O'Neil - Boom. PTP is absolutely amazing , unfortunately he had to go through 2 seasons of NXT to become a boom but whatever.

Great thread can't wait till season 3 gets reviewed

 

[stepnmeka]

OK Lets clear this up Husky Harris was not on NXT season 2 he was on season 1 and was a part of the Nexus. As far as the others, Kaval was always a good talent Titus just needs help coming into his own, Alex Riley probably has the second most talent of the bunch, Percy had the awkward charisma and who cares about the rest

 

[The Butcher]

OK Lets clear this up Husky Harris was not on NXT season 2 he was on season 1 and was a part of the Nexus. As far as the others, Kaval was always a good talent Titus just needs help coming into his own, Alex Riley probably has the second most talent of the bunch, Percy had the awkward charisma and who cares about the rest

No, genius, Husky Harris was on season 2 of NXT. Why would you even dare post this without doing a 10 second Google search to make sure you're remembering things right? Let's clear this up right now, Husky Harris was on NXT season 2 with Cody Rhodes as his pro. He joined the Nexus after the group started to have internal friction. McGillicutty joined as well.

"'Tis better to remain silent..."

 

[Pedigree1]

Kaval (WINNER)- Kaval was indeed a great athlete in Japan and in the indy scene. I like him okay but to me his heart wasnt in the WWE. Why he won i dont know as Curtis Axel should have won IMO. Kaval could have least held the IC title IMO but nothing higher than that. Really dont miss him

Michael McGillicutty- I never liked teh name Michael McGilicutty as i know the name just didnt fit him. He is a natural athlete no doubt its in the bloodlines. Yes he has aligned himself with Mr Heyman,very good position for him. I dont buy the fact he is boring on the Mic or in the ring as he should have won NXT 2. But isnt he 34 to me the clock is ticking on him right now its superstardom or just another Gasp (Val Venis)
Alex Riley- I also like Alex Riley. HE has the look,the athleticism,and very good on the mic. Hell he pinned a former WWE champion cleanly on a PPV once upon a time. He had the IT factor. But as to why he is in Jobber Hell,only he knows for sure. I hope we sincerely see him again.

Husky Harris- Husky I like him I cant help but root for the quick fat guy. The son of Mike Rotunda he definitely has it. Built like a Tank with a Ferrari Engine is how i believe Husky put it. Now he got repackaged as bray Wyatt. Bray Wyatt is definitely a most interesting name. I honestly cant wait how this comes about. We all the yes the Wyatt Family is being brought in but its all about Bray!

Percy Watson- Never saw it in Percy! The glasses minus the lenses were a nice touch but really he was just meh
Lucky Cannon- This fucking guy annoyed me to no end. Lucky Cannon what kind of stupid name is that? Glad he didnt win guess he wasnt so lucky
Eli Cottonwood- For a big man he moved stiff never had any mic skills and looked like he could topple over! Bye Bye Eli

Titus O'Neil-At first I didnt like him. But he wore on me and now he is part of the PTP with Darren Young. Titus is entertaining and clearly loves his craft. I dont know why the WWE wont put a title on this man already the Uso's should not be getting the rub the PTP's should be.

So, who were the BOOMS! and busts of NXT Season Two?[/QUOTE]

 

[stepnmeka]

No, genius, Husky Harris was on season 2 of NXT. Why would you even dare post this without doing a 10 second Google search to make sure you're remembering things right? Let's clear this up right now, Husky Harris was on NXT season 2 with Cody Rhodes as his pro. He joined the Nexus after the group started to have internal friction. McGillicutty joined as well.

"'Tis better to remain silent..."

You are absolutely right but when I checked his Wiki they were actually wrong. As they state he was apart of the first season in his bio.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Kaval
I wish he had a more successful run on Smackdown. He could have been a great choice for Intercontinental or US Champion. A high flying tag team with Sin Cara would also have been fun. Considering how he did next to nothing after winning this thing.... Kaval was not very successful in WWE.


Michael McGillicutty
Now under the Axel persona and our current Intercontinental Champion, he is the most successful so far out of the NXT Season 2 group. That does not surprise me. Oh yeah and then there was that Tag Team Championship reign with Otunga. His big push at the moment should ensure that he ends remaining the most successful out of this group. I'm just glad he finally got a better name.


Alex Riley
What a waste of such an amazing entrance theme. He beat up The Miz after being in his corner from NXT Season 2 up through Wrestlemania 27's main event and gets mega over for it, then does nothing for 2 years? What a shame.


Husky Harris
I hated the Husky Harris character. Hopefully Bray Wyatt completely changes my opinion of this guy.


Percy Watson
I do not get what people see in this guy. He was BEYOND annoying on NXT Season 2 and I for one am glad we have not seen much of him since then. I say future endeavor him.


Lucky Cannon
Underrated. He deserved a better shot than what he got.


Eli Cottonwood
Wasn't he the one who did the horrendous promo about mustaches? I don't remember much about him at all. He clearly didn't make much of an impact and I don't expect a great deal of success out of him in the WWE.


Titus O'Neil
The obvious choice for most improved out of the group. Titus has come a LONG way from the akward "make it a win" speech. The Prime Time Players are a great tag team that hopefully will get to hold the giant pennies someday and Titus might see some success of his own if/when he goes solo.


There has not been a large amount of success from the alumni of NXT Season 2. Axel is the only one who has held a title and unlike season 1's group, they aren't all on the main roster yet. Heck, Kaval didn't even last a year and he WON the contest. The amount of potential within this group isn't as large as the first season's group (even of you disregard the Nexus storyline, their potential was still there). Husky should get a better run out of the Wyatt character. Titus is destined for greatness. We already know Axel is getting a big push. The others are just about all failures, unfortunately. Some like Percy legitimately suck while others like Lucky Cannon deserved a better chance.

 

[MWRedskins]

Kaval (winner)
he won the show, i wasnt the biggest fan of his win either. i liked him, but i thought McGuillicutty (at the time) had much more potential. i liked Kaval, but i didnt want him to win for main roster storyline purposes. as for his career, he busted in WWE. they just didnt seem to want him.
Michael McGillicutty
his name SUCKED and i thought since the start of the show that he should've been called Michael Henning (just keep the last name), but because of the bad name, that hurt him a bit. his promos also werent best, but mainly because they seemed a bit bland. i liked his in ring skills except his finisher. he's a boom because of his new gimmick. i still wish they would give him the Henning name, but at least they are playing off to his dad and acknowledging his family name.
Alex Riley
i also liked him. he had future heel wrote all over him and he was my top choice for feuding with the (at the time) newly US Champion Daniel Bryan, but WWE never went that route. the best way for them to break up Miz and Riley would've been that. have Riley stay heel, use his Varisity Villian gimmick and challenge and maybe beat Bryan, but because of poor booking and appearantly him putting himself in the doghouse, he's a bust (for now).
Husky Harris
his name Sucked with a capital S. hated the Husky part of his name as that just sounds way too bland, cheap and childish. ok, he's big, so we call him Husky Harris!? no. as for him in WWE, he was great at cutting promos (when WWE let him) and he's good in the ring too. his Bray Wyatt character could make him a boom. i will give him an incomplete for now, but if the Wyatt character takes off like i think it will, then he will be a boom and likely one of the best on this show.
Percy Watson
never liked his look as he looked too childish and weird for my liking. i thought (when the show ended) that a pairing with a newly letgo from Nexus Darren Young would've been perfect as they could've been a team of party guys that were cocky (similar to the prime time players). that didnt work out, so bust (for now)
Lucky Cannon
he wasnt bad on the mic or in the ring, but he isnt booked that much or (from what i can see) not really cared much about to use. i will give him a bust.
Eli Cottonwood
i never liked him as his look reminded me of a better moving Great Khali. Black Sweatpants, long hair, tall, the only thing that was missing was his pathetic moving in the ring that made him look like he was always hurting. Eli is a bust though as he's done nothing since then and because i still am not a fan of his.
Titus O'Neil
well he's one that i am not a huge fan of. i like his look, but his barking is a tad annoying and of course, he's not the best at cutting promos. he has decent in ring skills, but his promos and barking annoy me and that hasnt changed. because of his time in WWE and how he's a small success, but he annoys me so i will say it's in between a bust and boom.